Our Team

Katja Hedding

Katja Kallis Hedding practices exclusively in the area of immigration law. Born in Finland and having lived, studied and worked in several different countries, the private practice of immigration law was a natural choice for her.

She enjoys living and working in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Katja will take great effort and care to help you through the complex US immigration system.

Education

Katja holds three law degrees. Her American law degree was earned at Vanderbilt University law school (LL.M). Her two other law degrees are from the University of Helsinki (Finland) and Uppsala University (Sweden), where she graduated with an LL.M. degree; the equivalent of an American J.D. She has also studied international law in Israel and Germany.

Katja has been admitted to practice law in Tennessee and in Finnish and Swedish courts.

Experience

Katja has worked as an attorney in the Finnish Parliament at the Ombudsman’s Office and as a law clerk in a Finnish District court. She has also worked as an attorney in New York and Nashville.

She is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association).

Skills

As a native Finn with excellent language skills, Katja is able to handle your case in English, Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and German. With her unique international background and experience, Katja enjoys interacting with people from different cultures.

Being a U.S. immigrant herself, Katja has a good understanding of how hard it can be to go through the immigration/visa process.

Yerlyn Castro

Yerlyn has been with Katja Hedding Law since 2016. Born and raised in Costa Rica, she is fluent in both Spanish and English. Yerlyn graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Master of Arts Degree in International Affairs and has over 16 years of experience helping immigrant families. With her extensive knowledge and experience in the immigration field, Yerlyn is passionate about immigration-related humanitarian work.

Alejandra Lopez

Alejandra was born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon Mexico, but was raised in Tennessee and is fluent in Spanish and English. With over 10 years of immigration experience, Alejandro understands the struggles many of our client’s face, and that is why she enjoys working for the immigrant community. In her free time, Alejandra enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Karla Tapia

Karla was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico but she grew up in Murfreesboro, TN. Karla finished her studies in Mexico where she graduated with a law degree from the University of San Luis Potosi. She joined Katja Hedding Law’s team because she enjoys helping the Hispanic community. Karla is fluent in Spanish and English.

Nataly Casas

Nataly has been on Katja Hedding Law’s team since 2021. She was born and raised in Colombia until she came to the USA at the age of fourteen. As an immigrant, she understands the complex process that must be navigated by people who come looking for a better future in this country. For her, the most rewarding part of her job is making a positive difference in the lives of immigrant families. Nataly is fluent in Spanish and English.